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Fifth Circuit Vacates DOT Rule Requiring Upfront Disclosure of Airline Ancillary Fees

The Fifth Circuit vacated a Biden‑era Department of Transportation rule that required airlines and ticket sellers to display ancillary charges — including checked-bag and ticket-change fees — clearly and upfront during the booking process. The court concluded the agency exceeded its authority and set aside the regulation.

Discovered 2026-02-03T10:35:59.354777-08:00 | 2026-02-03T10:35:59.354777-08:00

Briefing

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Vacatur removes the federal mandate for upfront ancillary‑fee disclosure, restoring the pre‑rule status quo and changing compliance obligations for carriers, online travel agencies and ticket sellers.
The ruling is part of broader DOT policy shifts and enforcement rollbacks in recent months, including moves to scale back DOT enforcement and abandon other Biden‑era passenger‑rights measures (policy rollbacks; abandoned regulations; rescinded compensation proposal).

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